JACKSON COUNTY PLANNING BOARD MINUTES Date: February 13, 2020 Time Begin: 6:14 p.m. Time End: 6:42 p.m. Location: Jackson County Department on Aging, Heritage Room Members Present Absent Present Absent Present Absent Bonnie Claxton X Tamera Crisp X Scott Ogle X Sandy Davis Brad Waldrop Steven X X X Johannessen (BY PHONE) Jeremy Hyatt X Mark Letson X Tommy White X Kirk Shufelt Mary Sue X X Casey Staff Present: Michael Poston- Planning Director Caroline LaFrienier- Planner II Heather Baker- County Attorney Allison Kelley- Administrative Assistant Call to Order and Ouorum Check Vice Chairman Mark Letson called the meeting to order at 6:14 p.m. and a quorum was, present. Public Comment There were no public comments. Approval of the Agenda Bonnie Claxton made a motion to approve the agenda as written. Tommy White seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Approval of the Minutes Tamera Crisp made a motion to approve the minutes from January gth, 2020. Bonnie Claxton seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. New Business a) Cullowhee Small Area Plan Ms. LaFrienier presented to the Board the process of creating the Small Area Plan. Staff held a kick-off meeting on March 4t, 2019 with stakeholders (over 30 participated). In April staff gathered public input and distributed an online survey to the community, WCU students, and received over 300 responses. Other opportunities for public input and involvement included a 3 day design charrette, a walking tour ofOld Cullowhee, visual preference activities, tabling on WCU's campus to gather student input and a coffee talk. Staff then spent a couple of months in plan development before bringing a draft back to the steering committee (Cullowhee Planning Council and a WCU student representative) for review and edits. After several revisions were made to the document, a public hearing was held on January 28th, 2020, and the Cullowhee Planning Council recommended adoption at their regularly scheduled meeting on February 3rd, 2020. The Small Area Plan will establish a framework for accommodating growth and development while maintain the character, environmental quality and livability of the area. The 1 plan looks at existing plans and studies for the Cullowhee area, the existing conditions and analysis of demographics, land use, environmental restraints and the economy. The plan also looks at and creates goals for future land us, housing and economic development, infrastructure, parks, natural resources and cultural recommendations. The vision and overarching goals for Cullowhee are as follows: Build Cullowhée'si image and identity and promote business and economic development Grow. in a predictable, context appropriate manner Increase housing options Provide recreational opportunities and protect, enhance and respect the area's natural beauty Enhance multi-modal transportation options The following are recommendations examples based on the vision and goals: Improve the design of new housing development to reduce conflict and improve compatibility with existing neighborhoods Revitalize Old Cullowhee Develop programs and initiatives to encourage biking and walking and enhance mobility options Study preservation, environmental education and restoration opportunities along the Tuckasegee Riyer and Cullowhee Creek Protect cultural resources in the Cullowhee area Ms. LaFrienier requested that the Board consider recommending the plan to the Board of Commissioners for adoption. Tommy White made a motion to recommend adoption ofthe Cullowhee Small. Area Plan to the County Commissioners. Tamera Crisp seconded the motion, and it carried unanimous/y, b) Discussion of New State Statute Changes Mr. Poston stated over. the last seven years, the North Carolina Bar Association, and NC Planning Association and other groups have been discussing the land use section ànd modernizing their enabling statutes. Enabling statutes are the regulations that give authority from the state to implement zoning, and development regulations. He stated there are two different sections for counties and cities, and there has been many issues as the documents as they have added to the regulations, and not updated since the 50s or 60s. Mr. Poston stated in 2019 the stated adopted Chapter 160D, which combines both sections for counties and cities that have clarified modernized language. Mr. Poston informed the Board staff would be looking to amend the ordinance in the sections where 150A is referenced, and replace with Chapter 160D and other new required language within the ordinance. There are new requirements by the state statute such as oath of officés, conflicts of interest that will make it more challenging in smaller communities. These new regulations requires those that want to have zoning authority must have a comprehensive plan. He stated Jackson County has a comprehensive plan, but small towns would be impacted by this change such as Dillsboro and Webster. Mr. Poston stated the county has until the end of 2020 to make these changes to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). c) Census 2020 Update Mr. Poston informed the Board that on March 12th staff expects the first mailing to be sent out from the Census Bureau. Staff has collaborated with the county libraries and Department 2 on Aging to allow those that doi notl have access to computers to taket the Census. He stated many people worry about confidentiality, and there is high penalties for not adhering to that. The numbers that are reported is the raw data, not specific data and that would release 72years later, and iti is for historical research and genealogy research. He stated George Washington University conducted: a study that $1,623 dollarsi is the per capita relationship with federal fund ding North Carolina receives through localj programs. Staffhas had stories regarding the Census in the Sylva Hearld and Crossroads Chronicle. Mr. Poston asked the Boardt Ito encourage community members to fill out the Census. On February 27th staff would hold a community meeting at 2 pm and 6 pm at the Jackson County Publicl Library in the Community Room. In addition, on February 25th at2 pm and 61 pm in Cashiers they willl have a community meeting ati the Albert Carlton Community Library in the Community Room. These community meetings will inform the public how they would be contacted to take the Census. Mr. Poston stated a numerator may knock on your door, or drop offCensus from at door ift theyhave not registered, and a mobile unit will go throughout the county. The Census would be advertised on the radio, and they radio is producing a short video with community members in public health and the school system speaking about how the Census affects their programs. Tommy White asked staffhow the WCU students would affect the Census. Mr. Poston stated the students that live on campus, the housing department would report as group quarters. However, students that live off campus it would ibe likea any other reporting, staffis determining the best way to reach out to those offcampus as most off campus apartments have post office boxes. Mr. Poston stated Lane Perryi is the Executive Director for student outreach, and they have two Census Fellows that arei interning college students for the Census. Staffplans to meet with Mr. Perry and the Census Fellows to discuss the besti method to communicate with stu dents that live off campus, and they might use the same method ofthe mobile unit. In 2000Jackson County voluntary responserate fori the Census was 48%, and in 2010it was 70% that was tied last with Graham County the western region. Adjournment With no further business, Tommy White made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Sandy Davis seçonded the motion and the meeting adjourned at 6:42p.m. Submitted by: Approved by: AA 1 uy Allison Kelley Mark Letson Administrative Assistant - Planning Planning Board Vice Chairman 3